Flavonoid Compounds and Uses Thereof

Abstract

Novel flavonoid compounds having anti-oxidant activity are described. The compounds and compositions have been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant properties and are particularly useful in the treatment of ischemia and reperfusion injuries. The invention also describes a method to chemically synthesize such flavonoid compounds and test their efficacy. Such compounds and corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and / or salts have uses in the areas of pharmaceuticals, nutraceutical, and veterinary applications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2005901214 filed on 11 Mar. 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to novel compounds, compositions containing these compounds, methods for their synthesis, and uses of these compounds. In particular, the present invention relates to flavonoid compounds, methods of synthesizing the flavonoid compounds, compositions containing the flavonoid compounds and methods of their use.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Prompt reperfusion of ischemic tissue is critical for restoring normal function. However, this return of blood flow can paradoxically produce a progressive destruction of reversibly damaged cells, thereby leading to tissue dysfunction and infarction. This “reperfusion injury” has multifactorial causes of disease but appears to be strongly associated with an inflammat...

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Benefits of technology

[0067]In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing, delaying the onset of and / or slowing the progression of atherosclerosis and / or coronary heart disease in a subject comprising

Problems solved by technology

However, this return of blood flow can paradoxically produce a progressive destruction of reversibly damaged cells, thereby leading to tissue dysfunction and infarction.

In addition to injuring endothelium and neurons, leukocytes can obstruct the microcirculation directly.

Ischaemia, and particularly reperfusion, tend to promote an increased release of ROS's from leukocytes which leads to further tissue damage.

One of the most damaging types of free radicals is superoxide anions which act to impair endothelial function and the activity of nitric oxide (NO).

However, this type of treatment is not directed to preventing or ameliorating the tissue damage associated with reperfusion.

Creating an environment for reperfusion to occur and re-establish the supply of oxygen to tissue can lead to increased tissue damage by increasing free radical production.

In this respect the conventional treatments for subjects exhibiting ischaemia or at risk of ischaemia are inadequate.

However, the pharmacokinetics of many flavonoids has severely limited their therapeutic usefulness.

Synthetic flavonoids tend to be highly lipid soluble molecules and therefore tend to have poor water solubility leading to a difficulty in administration as a therapeutic agent.

These characteristics limit their applicability to therapies where acute parenteral administration is desirable, for example in vasodilation therapies.

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